Crimson Thinker Origin
I am genius, literally. By the way this isn't a bragging matter its the truth. I thought I was a genius at first but really that only a taste of what is possible. Excuse me, my name is Darwin Opinhimer (ah-pin-high-mer). If you're wondering it's German but that's not the matter of subject right now. Let me begin it all started with a student really.
I teach at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey (and please don't read this in a jersey accent). My subject of teaching, math. In fact just about anything dealing with math I can tell you about it. Functions, relations, statistics, topology, number theory, trigonometry, calculus you name it. But like I said it started with a student, Ruby Oddsern. It was the end of the period and the bell had rung.
"Big test next Monday I suggest you study," At first I didn't notice her because I was looking for a certain something. That is until she tapped on my desk.
Ruby was a peachy,reddish skinned girl. Her brown hair went down her back and was usually kept in a ponytail. Then there was her green clothing as always. Then there was this beautiful ring that she always wore. While she was twenty-two and already an archaeologists she came back for more education in the field of math.
"Hey Professor Opinhimer I was wondering about something," She began to pull something from her book bag. "I found this at the dig site about two weeks ago." She handed me a very old book and still digging through her bag she says, "That book contains three fourths of the answer to the hardest math problem, ever."
"Well that makes no sense that was solved years ago," I looked in the book with curiosity. There were signs and signals I'd never seen.
"That's our version of hard." She then pulled out a slip of paper just as old as the book, "You see some people like me believe that we as human devolved in a sense. You see in the Biblical days there were people who would be giants today. People who would out rank the strongest wrestlers. So imagine how big their brains were. Well most people would considered a bigger brain means you're smarter. Not necessarily Albert Einstein's brain was smaller most humans. This paper, that book, it dates back to the days of Mr. Einstein time. In that time frame some of the most amazing inventions were discovered. If anything I thought you might be able to crack it considering the fact that you're an absolute genius. And you went to college at fourteen, then graduated at nineteen. Now you're here at twenty-three. And you know still kind of studying..."
I discarded the awkward moment that just kind of happened. I looked at the book and the sheet of paper and thought, 'Why not? It would pass the time at home.' "I'm sure I can find something on it." I took out my phone and took a few pictures.
With a smile Ruby said, "That's great! Hope you can find something and if you do call me." She backed everything back up, “I gotta get to the next class so ya...see ya Monday." Then quickly made her way out of the class.
The day went on again as always but I couldn't stop looking at the pictures I took. Something about them seemed to draw me. Every chance I got to look at them was another chance to ease the urge. It wasn't any better at home either. No matter what I did nothing could get my mind off of it. I was sitting at the kitchen table when I felt a touch on my shoulder and slightly jumped.
"Whit's (what's) wrong dear heart?" Standing before me was my beautiful, Scottish, fiancée Mira. She has long brown hair with red highlights then she always tended to wear her native Scottish kilt pattern except in blue and red. Even though she grew up in America she still has that Scottish accent with her.
"Nothing, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something."
"Something like I really widnae (wid-neigh) understand cause it's complicated math? Or something like I will notice it and care deeply aboot (about) it?" She asked wrapping her arms around me from behind.
"Fifty, fifty. There's this huge math problem that one of my students gave me..."
"Male or female student?" Mira was kind of the jealous type. This close to our wedding though you'd think she'd have little doubt about it.
"A female student," I started and then felt her grip tighten on me. "But she has no interest in me and you are the only woman for me." I kissed her intensely on the lips and she let out a smile.
"Awww...I'm pacified, for now. So whit did she give ye (you)?"
"Not really give but more so showed me." I showed her the picture on my phone.
"My that's a lotta math and the pages look like they be from the ancient days. "
"They are in fact. She told me there from the biblical days of Joshua. She claims it's the hardest math problem in the world and gave it to me..."
"Cause yer (you're) a wizard at math." Mira always call me that.
"Wizards are fictional characters that use 'magic' and I use logic along with the laws of math." Thus that is always my response."I bet I could crack it though with some research."
"Oh boy, here we go again. This is just like that time ye tried finding ALL the mathematical attributes of gravity. Well dinnae (don't) be staying up too late and see ye in the morin." With that she kissed my cheek and left for the night.
It wasn't even a minute after she that I began my research. I looked for the meaning of the signs and symbols in the book not to mention the previous problem deemed hardest math problem in the world. It showed none of what I found. It was like the entire problem by passed anything ever known in math. What I could find though was the symbols and their means when I dated back far enough. It then became something that was always stuck in my head. Seemed like every chance I got was my chance to think back on it. Before long the hours on the problem turned to days, weeks, a three months to be exact. Why only a month you might ask? There was something I never would have expected behind that problem.
~ Three Months Later ~
I paced back and forth across the room. Three chalkboards, twelve notebooks,a nd five packages of paper later I'm planning on dumping this project. Though I am a persistent person which explains many events in my life. I was so close to the answer it was on the tip of my tongue. I probably paced around that room all night and that drove me crazy. Then finally a lightbulb went off.
"It's not a number. It's not anything. Rational, irrational, even imaginary. It's something new, something...undiscovered by man. But what should I call it?" Another lightbulb goes off as I wrote 'Σ.Ν.Σ.ι' on the paper. In Greek it's S.N.S.I or 'Something New, Something Impossible.'
When I finished the last letter it was like the world stopped for a moment. Like a bolt of lightning I felt a sharp pain. Almost like a instant migraine except maybe three point five times worse. It felt like forever until I blacked out.
I finally woke up the next morning and somehow in my bed. My head still felt like I was hit with by car. In fact my whole body did. I opened my eyes slightly and the little light that was in room hit me like a sledgehammer. I shut my eyes back like a newborn kitten.
"Well, well look who finally woke up . I was starting to worry aboot ye." Mira walked in the room and I just assumed she'd put me in bed.
"Oh my god what time is it?"
"Umm...aboot two thirty."
"Two thirty?!" I never wake up that late.
"Dinnae worry I called in and said ye were sick. I think it's just from stress though. I came back because I left my coat. Ye were on the floor unconscious so I brought ye to bed." She said smoothing my hair out.
"Thanks,hey didn't you have something to do?"
"Ya a...meeting but I hae (have) to stay here and take care of ye." Mira never stopped in her sentences like that. Made me wonder.
"No go ahead to your meeting or whatever."
"Really?"
"Yes really. I'll be fine."
"Ok because I am late! See ye, love ye, and goodbye."
I swear that was the fastest I'd heard her run. While I'm not a afternoon sleeper I felt it would probably be best if I did it just this once. I slept for almost another two hours. I open my eyes and this time I could somewhat see. In fact I almost went back to sleep. Instead I searched for my glasses on dresser with one hand. Sliding them on I went to the kitchen for a glass of water.
I took a sip and immediately gagged. I knew it had chlorine in it but that time I could really taste it. Looked down at the glass as I laid it on the table. A drop slid down the side and to my amazement I could see it. See it more than ever. Every molecule was so easily seen almost as if I were through a microscope. I was struck with amazement until there was a knock at the door. I clenched my ears in pain. It felt like an alarm clock going off in my ears.
"Oh my gosh!" I screamed in pain.
The door lock twisted open and what once sounded like little clicks were now like bullhorns. I couldn't cover my ears enough. The door continued to open and I felt as if I were going to die but, all of a sudden the noise stopped. Everything seemed back to normal.
"Darwin!" Mira's voice hit my ear in a much, much more pleasant volume. "I knew I should have stayed with ye."
She came running over to my side . On her knees she went saying, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh are ye ok? Do ye need water,a blanket, what?" She said in a frantic way.
I started to rise to my feet saying, "I'm fine Mira please, don't smother me." I landed my hands on her shoulders. Her skin felt different as if it were rougher than before. Then that smell.
"Whit's wrong dearie?"
"Are you wearing pomegranate perfume and strawberry lotion? Also were you around a fire earlier?"
"I wore that perfume and lotion yesterday. Are ye ok and did ye get contacts?"
"Contacts?"
"Yes ye're eyes are red."
"Red?"
Mira started digging through her purse and said, "Here take a look." She'd pulled out a hand mirror.
I looked into the mirror and saw something I didn't want to see. My eyes changed. The pupil shifted colors going from a bright red to purple and back to blue. I was awestruck at what just unfolded. Not wanting to alarm Mira, or have her smother me again, I put up my best act.
"You must have been seeing things."
She turned my head and looked into my eyes in confusion. What I was worried about was her knowing I was telling a little white lie. After intensely gazing into my pupils she said, "Huh...I was sure I saw something."
"What you saw was a trick of the eyes."
"Well I'm not leaving ye this time." Mira pulled me in for a bear hug rocking me back and forth like a baby. I knew then that she wasn't wasn't leaving for another two hours or so.
I was totally wrong. Mira didn't leave for two whole days. For some strange reason every time I get ill she treats me like a little puppy. My time in bed did not go to waste at all. I laid in bed with absolute boredom written all over my face but,something in my head didn't feel right. It felt like something major had happened and I didn't know what. On the first day I just started thinking of random things to keep myself busy and that didn't last long. I figured I'd watch some tv to pass the time. I looked around for my remote and it was on top of my bookshelf. At the moment I was the complete moment of L.S.I.D.C (Laziness, Stupidity, and I Don't Care). Like I did when I was seven I stretched my hand out, concentrated on the remote, and tried to use the force from Star Wars. I stared straight at the remote for about five seconds until something felt strange in head. It felt like a weird tickle in the back of my head. I swear I blinked for half a second opened my eyes and to my surprise the remote was in my hand.
Wide eyed I said to myself, "Maybe Mira's right. I'm sick and need to lay in bed. I walked over there and picked this up it did not just suddenly get in my hands."
Turning on the tv I saw that Friendly Feud was on. The host ask, "Top three answers on the board; name something you always said you'd never do but you did."
'Get married, have children, and smoke.'
A few minutes later when the board was clear I sat there dumbfounded when the board said, 'marriage, children, and smoke'.
~four episodes later~
"Lemon, lime, grapefruit, apple."
"Your sour foods America. We'll be right back!"
I sat at the edge of my bed holding my head. I'm smart but at that time I wasn't that smart. The fact was I got EVERY SINGLE ANSWER CORRECT. I called the only other person who would know about this.
"Hello?"
"Ruby!"
"Mr.Opinhimer?"
"You're playing a card game; most likely solitaire and are you sitting in your room or kitchen there's a high chance for both."
"What the-"
"Look you know that math problem you gave me a few weeks ago? Well it must had enhanced my mind somehow. I can predict what can happen to pretty much anything around me and I'm sure now that I have telepathy."
"Ok, ok...I didn't actually think that you would solve that problem. It's known as the God Problem and legend said you'd get exactly what you just said. There's no way to get rid of it."
"So, what you're saying is I'm basically superhuman now?"
"Yeah but, the good part is the legend also says that the person who solves the equation is destine for greatness. Oh and you can predict a lot of things except death and God of course. Anything having to do with life itself is pretty much in your mind for predictions."
"Ruby that ring of yours is for something else isn't?"
"What?"
"You're going to try to lie to me."
She was silent for a moment before sighing saying,"Ya...it is. You know how we've been having a drought and the plant nursery where I volunteer is somehow thriving?"
~a month later~
I stood in front of mirror in my dressing room. That day was suppose to be the greatest day of my life, my wedding. Instead it turned out to be very, very strange. Of course I was still getting use to my new abilities but the blessing and curse was the predictions. I thought I was going to go into psychosis. Seeing what could possible happen to myself,others it's scary. On this day though I had some of the worst predictions.
'25% chance I'm going to accidentally say I don't, 10% chance she'll say I don't, 65% chance of an alien invasion...wait WHAT?'
"Are ya ready son?"
I jumped at the touch of his hand, "Sorry Dad I guess I'm just a bit nervous is all."
"Ah don't worry 'bout it. I was the same way when I married ya mother. Don't ya worry son everything will be just fine."
I wish I could say my dad was right yet I took the advice. As I stood at the alter I tried thinking about things like our honeymoon, the first few years of marriage, kids, even a family pet helped soothe my worries. Then the organ play the traditional wedding chime. My fears jumped back and I could feel a chill go down my spine. Obviously my mother could see this as from her seat she mouthed 'breathe boy, breathe'. The doors opened and there was father and my bride. Mira glowed in her sweetheart, mermaid, lace dress. Her hair in a bun and veil flowing down her back. While I looked like I was about to have a nervous breakdown she looked like she was going to cry. As she walked down isle I could feel the sweat rolling down my back.
"Our dearly beloved," began the priest, "we gather here today to celebrate the unification of Mira Dakota and Darwin Opinhimer. The couple will now say their vows as they exchange rings."
"Darwin," I could see the tears building up, "when I first met ye I really wasn't looking for a relationship but...ye came into my life and now I couldn't be happier. I promise to be there for better or worse, through sickness and in health, til death do us part." She slid the ring on my finger and my worries were soothed again.
"Mira..." I started off.
Suddenly out of nowhere all the windows in the church blasted open. Shards went flying everywhere as harsh winds blew inside the building. It wasn't just happening downtown it was happening in the entire city.
"Whit the heck was that?" Mira asked.
Then a random officer bursts in saying, "I need everyone out of here! The city is evacuating,power lines and satellites are down! We're not sure what the threat is but once located we'll handle everything!"
While everyone else was leaving I stood at the alter just staring at the man; Mira behind me. He looked like a normal guy but there was something off about him. I closed my eyes and let the change commence. My eyes changed to that crimson red and I looked dead into his eyes. This might be hard to imagine but I looked down into the atoms of this person. What I saw seemed unreal because they were atoms but of what? I couldn't think of an element that was made like that.
Reverting my eyes I asked, "Who or what are you?"
Like a caterpillar to a butterfly the officer shape-shifted from a regular police officer to a white skinned,bright green haired, woman with turquoise clothing on.
"Mira I want you to run as fast as you can," I whispered.
"Ok but Darwin," she grabbed my hand in her's, "promise me ye'll be careful. That wind is coming off of her and I dinnae want ye to get hurt."
"I know you don't, but just trust me on this one. I promise I'll finish those vows."
She looked me in the eyes one more time before running out of the room. The woman just stared at her as she did so. Now it was just her and I staring at each other as the winds raged on. The most sudden thing happened it almost surprised me. Plants exploded from the floor board like lava from a volcano. The plants entangled the woman in a cocoon like form and the wind stopped. From the double doors of the church walked in Ruby Oddsern.
"Oh hi was in the area! Did I interrupt something?" She asked awkwardly.
"No Lady Mysterious here did that."
Ruby stated at the woman as I did before asking, "That necklace you're wearing. You have the wind diamond on it. Why are you using it in this way? Our diamonds are suppose to be used productively."
The mystery lady was silent before cracking an evil smile, "I am your test."
We both cocked our heads at the remark. She began to laugh like a maniac. Her teeth showing and eyes closed it was a thigh slapping laugh. Like a flash of light she broke free of her binds using the build up of wind in the closed space.
"I understand now," Ruby began as she picked herself up off the floor. "You're the one they call Force. Hm...you're lucky most of the diamonds were transported to Earth. Even though wind is very strong against Earth it won't matter. If I can't stop you from using your powers incorrectly I'll have to rip them from you."
"We'll see about that Earthling."
She started to release a force of air again but while they were talking I carefully calculated and predicted my surroundings. Thus before the air hit us using my telepathy I was able to build a glass wall between the three of us.
"Wow quick thinking," Ruby said.
"You have no idea. Time to see what I can really do."
I took the wall of glass and pointed the shards towards the one Ruby called Force. There was no intention of killing just pinning to the ground. I launched the shards at her. She countered by swinging her across the air sending a tsunami of wind which simply broke the glass.
"My turn," Force said with a cold stare. Clapping her hand she sent a force of wind so strong it sent both Ruby and I soaring across the sanctuary.
She started to walk over towards us in a fierce manner. Another set of plants came from the floorboard but shaped like a hand which forcefully pinned Force on the other side of the church.
"Why? Why are you doing this."
"They are my orders," She simply said and with her free hand she sent more wind to knock Ruby against the wall. Losing her focus the plants which were in her control simply became weeds again. Releasing herself from the wall Force paced towards me. Now I'm not saying hit a woman but I hit a woman, with a chair, made of steel. That's right I used my telepathy and knocked a chair right into her head.
"Of course..." I said to myself, "Ruby we need to hit her like she hit you."
"Oh my gosh you're right, not that it's surprising. Making her lose her concentration will keep her from attacking us."
To this day I don't trust her with a rose bush. Ruby's sadist little mind turned a rose bush into a kunai out of all things. I took the surrounding floor board and morphed it into a giant sphere around Force.
"Ready?"
"I was born ready." A smile cracked on her face.
"Let's begin the magic show shall we."
Ruby took the kunai and just blasted through the sphere at jet speeds . Small grunts and moans could be heard from inside of the geometric shape. We did this for about two and a half minutes. Quickly releasing the sphere I used my telepathy to pin Force against the floor. The board from the sphere I took and used them as straps to hold her down. Running to the aliens side I knelt down next to her.
"Well now what?" Ruby asked.
"Now we talk," I went behind the aliens neck and pulled off a tiny micro-bot. "This little guy is used for mind control and long distance gps."
Putting her fingers between her eyes Ruby asked, "You knew that all along didn't you?"
"Yep."
"Ugh..." Force was coming to, "what...where am I?"
"Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, ring a bell?" Ruby asked.
"You basically invaded our town," I told her.
"I...I remember now. They sent me," She said still in a bit of shock.
"Who sent you?" I asked.
"Let's go men!" We heard before dozens of men swarmed the area.
I could hear helicopters outside even tanks. Men in black came through the windows telling us to put our hands up. Then came someone none of us had ever met. A man walked in with scruffy hair,black and white eyes, and a Soviet Union uniform on. Right next to him was someone I really hoped I was hallucinating. Mira walked in not with a wedding dress, but a blue a red agents uniform.
"Darwin Opinhimer, Ruby Oddsern I am Director Grigori. We have a few questions for you."
"And I hae (have) some explaining to do."
Shortly after we gave testimony to what happened Mira walked up to me. Her face was now as straight as a stick.
She simply asked, "Are ye mad?"
I took me a second to think about it. Instead of answering though I just ,laughed. I bursted into laughter unlike any other. Finally I said, "No, of course not. I'm no better than you. I've had these abilities for a little over a month now."
"Darwin whit I said my wedding vows I meant. Ye ken (know) how we met at a costume party?"
"Let me guess this wasn't a costume at all."
"No, in fact it was a mission but instead I found ye and I couldn't let ye loose." She took my hands and said, "I'm sorry for cause ye so much trouble I understand if ye-"
"Mira," I put my finger on her lip, "I love you and that's not going to change agent or not. I promise that no matter what comes up in our life that I'll be by your side through it all." I pulled the wedding ring out of my tattered suit pocket, "I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife."
The tears formed in her eye again, "And I take ye to be my lawfully wedded husband."
We kissed like we never kissed before. Almost like that spark we had just exploded and became fireworks. When we finally pulled away I told her this.
"Mira this is just the beginning. There are other threats out there in the universe that will need to be taken care of. Something big is going to happen and there needs to be a group no,a team of people like Ruby and me to help those who can't help themselves."
"Like ye?"
"Me as in unique people. I want to gather them up so we can get a head start on this."
"A.I.D.A.N has something that can help."
"A.I.D.A.N?"
"All-around Investigation Department Alpha National. We keep track of things like this."
"Perfect."
"What will ye call yereselves (yourselves)?"
"Unique People."
Copyright 2015 Puddin Littles
I teach at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey (and please don't read this in a jersey accent). My subject of teaching, math. In fact just about anything dealing with math I can tell you about it. Functions, relations, statistics, topology, number theory, trigonometry, calculus you name it. But like I said it started with a student, Ruby Oddsern. It was the end of the period and the bell had rung.
"Big test next Monday I suggest you study," At first I didn't notice her because I was looking for a certain something. That is until she tapped on my desk.
Ruby was a peachy,reddish skinned girl. Her brown hair went down her back and was usually kept in a ponytail. Then there was her green clothing as always. Then there was this beautiful ring that she always wore. While she was twenty-two and already an archaeologists she came back for more education in the field of math.
"Hey Professor Opinhimer I was wondering about something," She began to pull something from her book bag. "I found this at the dig site about two weeks ago." She handed me a very old book and still digging through her bag she says, "That book contains three fourths of the answer to the hardest math problem, ever."
"Well that makes no sense that was solved years ago," I looked in the book with curiosity. There were signs and signals I'd never seen.
"That's our version of hard." She then pulled out a slip of paper just as old as the book, "You see some people like me believe that we as human devolved in a sense. You see in the Biblical days there were people who would be giants today. People who would out rank the strongest wrestlers. So imagine how big their brains were. Well most people would considered a bigger brain means you're smarter. Not necessarily Albert Einstein's brain was smaller most humans. This paper, that book, it dates back to the days of Mr. Einstein time. In that time frame some of the most amazing inventions were discovered. If anything I thought you might be able to crack it considering the fact that you're an absolute genius. And you went to college at fourteen, then graduated at nineteen. Now you're here at twenty-three. And you know still kind of studying..."
I discarded the awkward moment that just kind of happened. I looked at the book and the sheet of paper and thought, 'Why not? It would pass the time at home.' "I'm sure I can find something on it." I took out my phone and took a few pictures.
With a smile Ruby said, "That's great! Hope you can find something and if you do call me." She backed everything back up, “I gotta get to the next class so ya...see ya Monday." Then quickly made her way out of the class.
The day went on again as always but I couldn't stop looking at the pictures I took. Something about them seemed to draw me. Every chance I got to look at them was another chance to ease the urge. It wasn't any better at home either. No matter what I did nothing could get my mind off of it. I was sitting at the kitchen table when I felt a touch on my shoulder and slightly jumped.
"Whit's (what's) wrong dear heart?" Standing before me was my beautiful, Scottish, fiancée Mira. She has long brown hair with red highlights then she always tended to wear her native Scottish kilt pattern except in blue and red. Even though she grew up in America she still has that Scottish accent with her.
"Nothing, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something."
"Something like I really widnae (wid-neigh) understand cause it's complicated math? Or something like I will notice it and care deeply aboot (about) it?" She asked wrapping her arms around me from behind.
"Fifty, fifty. There's this huge math problem that one of my students gave me..."
"Male or female student?" Mira was kind of the jealous type. This close to our wedding though you'd think she'd have little doubt about it.
"A female student," I started and then felt her grip tighten on me. "But she has no interest in me and you are the only woman for me." I kissed her intensely on the lips and she let out a smile.
"Awww...I'm pacified, for now. So whit did she give ye (you)?"
"Not really give but more so showed me." I showed her the picture on my phone.
"My that's a lotta math and the pages look like they be from the ancient days. "
"They are in fact. She told me there from the biblical days of Joshua. She claims it's the hardest math problem in the world and gave it to me..."
"Cause yer (you're) a wizard at math." Mira always call me that.
"Wizards are fictional characters that use 'magic' and I use logic along with the laws of math." Thus that is always my response."I bet I could crack it though with some research."
"Oh boy, here we go again. This is just like that time ye tried finding ALL the mathematical attributes of gravity. Well dinnae (don't) be staying up too late and see ye in the morin." With that she kissed my cheek and left for the night.
It wasn't even a minute after she that I began my research. I looked for the meaning of the signs and symbols in the book not to mention the previous problem deemed hardest math problem in the world. It showed none of what I found. It was like the entire problem by passed anything ever known in math. What I could find though was the symbols and their means when I dated back far enough. It then became something that was always stuck in my head. Seemed like every chance I got was my chance to think back on it. Before long the hours on the problem turned to days, weeks, a three months to be exact. Why only a month you might ask? There was something I never would have expected behind that problem.
~ Three Months Later ~
I paced back and forth across the room. Three chalkboards, twelve notebooks,a nd five packages of paper later I'm planning on dumping this project. Though I am a persistent person which explains many events in my life. I was so close to the answer it was on the tip of my tongue. I probably paced around that room all night and that drove me crazy. Then finally a lightbulb went off.
"It's not a number. It's not anything. Rational, irrational, even imaginary. It's something new, something...undiscovered by man. But what should I call it?" Another lightbulb goes off as I wrote 'Σ.Ν.Σ.ι' on the paper. In Greek it's S.N.S.I or 'Something New, Something Impossible.'
When I finished the last letter it was like the world stopped for a moment. Like a bolt of lightning I felt a sharp pain. Almost like a instant migraine except maybe three point five times worse. It felt like forever until I blacked out.
I finally woke up the next morning and somehow in my bed. My head still felt like I was hit with by car. In fact my whole body did. I opened my eyes slightly and the little light that was in room hit me like a sledgehammer. I shut my eyes back like a newborn kitten.
"Well, well look who finally woke up . I was starting to worry aboot ye." Mira walked in the room and I just assumed she'd put me in bed.
"Oh my god what time is it?"
"Umm...aboot two thirty."
"Two thirty?!" I never wake up that late.
"Dinnae worry I called in and said ye were sick. I think it's just from stress though. I came back because I left my coat. Ye were on the floor unconscious so I brought ye to bed." She said smoothing my hair out.
"Thanks,hey didn't you have something to do?"
"Ya a...meeting but I hae (have) to stay here and take care of ye." Mira never stopped in her sentences like that. Made me wonder.
"No go ahead to your meeting or whatever."
"Really?"
"Yes really. I'll be fine."
"Ok because I am late! See ye, love ye, and goodbye."
I swear that was the fastest I'd heard her run. While I'm not a afternoon sleeper I felt it would probably be best if I did it just this once. I slept for almost another two hours. I open my eyes and this time I could somewhat see. In fact I almost went back to sleep. Instead I searched for my glasses on dresser with one hand. Sliding them on I went to the kitchen for a glass of water.
I took a sip and immediately gagged. I knew it had chlorine in it but that time I could really taste it. Looked down at the glass as I laid it on the table. A drop slid down the side and to my amazement I could see it. See it more than ever. Every molecule was so easily seen almost as if I were through a microscope. I was struck with amazement until there was a knock at the door. I clenched my ears in pain. It felt like an alarm clock going off in my ears.
"Oh my gosh!" I screamed in pain.
The door lock twisted open and what once sounded like little clicks were now like bullhorns. I couldn't cover my ears enough. The door continued to open and I felt as if I were going to die but, all of a sudden the noise stopped. Everything seemed back to normal.
"Darwin!" Mira's voice hit my ear in a much, much more pleasant volume. "I knew I should have stayed with ye."
She came running over to my side . On her knees she went saying, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh are ye ok? Do ye need water,a blanket, what?" She said in a frantic way.
I started to rise to my feet saying, "I'm fine Mira please, don't smother me." I landed my hands on her shoulders. Her skin felt different as if it were rougher than before. Then that smell.
"Whit's wrong dearie?"
"Are you wearing pomegranate perfume and strawberry lotion? Also were you around a fire earlier?"
"I wore that perfume and lotion yesterday. Are ye ok and did ye get contacts?"
"Contacts?"
"Yes ye're eyes are red."
"Red?"
Mira started digging through her purse and said, "Here take a look." She'd pulled out a hand mirror.
I looked into the mirror and saw something I didn't want to see. My eyes changed. The pupil shifted colors going from a bright red to purple and back to blue. I was awestruck at what just unfolded. Not wanting to alarm Mira, or have her smother me again, I put up my best act.
"You must have been seeing things."
She turned my head and looked into my eyes in confusion. What I was worried about was her knowing I was telling a little white lie. After intensely gazing into my pupils she said, "Huh...I was sure I saw something."
"What you saw was a trick of the eyes."
"Well I'm not leaving ye this time." Mira pulled me in for a bear hug rocking me back and forth like a baby. I knew then that she wasn't wasn't leaving for another two hours or so.
I was totally wrong. Mira didn't leave for two whole days. For some strange reason every time I get ill she treats me like a little puppy. My time in bed did not go to waste at all. I laid in bed with absolute boredom written all over my face but,something in my head didn't feel right. It felt like something major had happened and I didn't know what. On the first day I just started thinking of random things to keep myself busy and that didn't last long. I figured I'd watch some tv to pass the time. I looked around for my remote and it was on top of my bookshelf. At the moment I was the complete moment of L.S.I.D.C (Laziness, Stupidity, and I Don't Care). Like I did when I was seven I stretched my hand out, concentrated on the remote, and tried to use the force from Star Wars. I stared straight at the remote for about five seconds until something felt strange in head. It felt like a weird tickle in the back of my head. I swear I blinked for half a second opened my eyes and to my surprise the remote was in my hand.
Wide eyed I said to myself, "Maybe Mira's right. I'm sick and need to lay in bed. I walked over there and picked this up it did not just suddenly get in my hands."
Turning on the tv I saw that Friendly Feud was on. The host ask, "Top three answers on the board; name something you always said you'd never do but you did."
'Get married, have children, and smoke.'
A few minutes later when the board was clear I sat there dumbfounded when the board said, 'marriage, children, and smoke'.
~four episodes later~
"Lemon, lime, grapefruit, apple."
"Your sour foods America. We'll be right back!"
I sat at the edge of my bed holding my head. I'm smart but at that time I wasn't that smart. The fact was I got EVERY SINGLE ANSWER CORRECT. I called the only other person who would know about this.
"Hello?"
"Ruby!"
"Mr.Opinhimer?"
"You're playing a card game; most likely solitaire and are you sitting in your room or kitchen there's a high chance for both."
"What the-"
"Look you know that math problem you gave me a few weeks ago? Well it must had enhanced my mind somehow. I can predict what can happen to pretty much anything around me and I'm sure now that I have telepathy."
"Ok, ok...I didn't actually think that you would solve that problem. It's known as the God Problem and legend said you'd get exactly what you just said. There's no way to get rid of it."
"So, what you're saying is I'm basically superhuman now?"
"Yeah but, the good part is the legend also says that the person who solves the equation is destine for greatness. Oh and you can predict a lot of things except death and God of course. Anything having to do with life itself is pretty much in your mind for predictions."
"Ruby that ring of yours is for something else isn't?"
"What?"
"You're going to try to lie to me."
She was silent for a moment before sighing saying,"Ya...it is. You know how we've been having a drought and the plant nursery where I volunteer is somehow thriving?"
~a month later~
I stood in front of mirror in my dressing room. That day was suppose to be the greatest day of my life, my wedding. Instead it turned out to be very, very strange. Of course I was still getting use to my new abilities but the blessing and curse was the predictions. I thought I was going to go into psychosis. Seeing what could possible happen to myself,others it's scary. On this day though I had some of the worst predictions.
'25% chance I'm going to accidentally say I don't, 10% chance she'll say I don't, 65% chance of an alien invasion...wait WHAT?'
"Are ya ready son?"
I jumped at the touch of his hand, "Sorry Dad I guess I'm just a bit nervous is all."
"Ah don't worry 'bout it. I was the same way when I married ya mother. Don't ya worry son everything will be just fine."
I wish I could say my dad was right yet I took the advice. As I stood at the alter I tried thinking about things like our honeymoon, the first few years of marriage, kids, even a family pet helped soothe my worries. Then the organ play the traditional wedding chime. My fears jumped back and I could feel a chill go down my spine. Obviously my mother could see this as from her seat she mouthed 'breathe boy, breathe'. The doors opened and there was father and my bride. Mira glowed in her sweetheart, mermaid, lace dress. Her hair in a bun and veil flowing down her back. While I looked like I was about to have a nervous breakdown she looked like she was going to cry. As she walked down isle I could feel the sweat rolling down my back.
"Our dearly beloved," began the priest, "we gather here today to celebrate the unification of Mira Dakota and Darwin Opinhimer. The couple will now say their vows as they exchange rings."
"Darwin," I could see the tears building up, "when I first met ye I really wasn't looking for a relationship but...ye came into my life and now I couldn't be happier. I promise to be there for better or worse, through sickness and in health, til death do us part." She slid the ring on my finger and my worries were soothed again.
"Mira..." I started off.
Suddenly out of nowhere all the windows in the church blasted open. Shards went flying everywhere as harsh winds blew inside the building. It wasn't just happening downtown it was happening in the entire city.
"Whit the heck was that?" Mira asked.
Then a random officer bursts in saying, "I need everyone out of here! The city is evacuating,power lines and satellites are down! We're not sure what the threat is but once located we'll handle everything!"
While everyone else was leaving I stood at the alter just staring at the man; Mira behind me. He looked like a normal guy but there was something off about him. I closed my eyes and let the change commence. My eyes changed to that crimson red and I looked dead into his eyes. This might be hard to imagine but I looked down into the atoms of this person. What I saw seemed unreal because they were atoms but of what? I couldn't think of an element that was made like that.
Reverting my eyes I asked, "Who or what are you?"
Like a caterpillar to a butterfly the officer shape-shifted from a regular police officer to a white skinned,bright green haired, woman with turquoise clothing on.
"Mira I want you to run as fast as you can," I whispered.
"Ok but Darwin," she grabbed my hand in her's, "promise me ye'll be careful. That wind is coming off of her and I dinnae want ye to get hurt."
"I know you don't, but just trust me on this one. I promise I'll finish those vows."
She looked me in the eyes one more time before running out of the room. The woman just stared at her as she did so. Now it was just her and I staring at each other as the winds raged on. The most sudden thing happened it almost surprised me. Plants exploded from the floor board like lava from a volcano. The plants entangled the woman in a cocoon like form and the wind stopped. From the double doors of the church walked in Ruby Oddsern.
"Oh hi was in the area! Did I interrupt something?" She asked awkwardly.
"No Lady Mysterious here did that."
Ruby stated at the woman as I did before asking, "That necklace you're wearing. You have the wind diamond on it. Why are you using it in this way? Our diamonds are suppose to be used productively."
The mystery lady was silent before cracking an evil smile, "I am your test."
We both cocked our heads at the remark. She began to laugh like a maniac. Her teeth showing and eyes closed it was a thigh slapping laugh. Like a flash of light she broke free of her binds using the build up of wind in the closed space.
"I understand now," Ruby began as she picked herself up off the floor. "You're the one they call Force. Hm...you're lucky most of the diamonds were transported to Earth. Even though wind is very strong against Earth it won't matter. If I can't stop you from using your powers incorrectly I'll have to rip them from you."
"We'll see about that Earthling."
She started to release a force of air again but while they were talking I carefully calculated and predicted my surroundings. Thus before the air hit us using my telepathy I was able to build a glass wall between the three of us.
"Wow quick thinking," Ruby said.
"You have no idea. Time to see what I can really do."
I took the wall of glass and pointed the shards towards the one Ruby called Force. There was no intention of killing just pinning to the ground. I launched the shards at her. She countered by swinging her across the air sending a tsunami of wind which simply broke the glass.
"My turn," Force said with a cold stare. Clapping her hand she sent a force of wind so strong it sent both Ruby and I soaring across the sanctuary.
She started to walk over towards us in a fierce manner. Another set of plants came from the floorboard but shaped like a hand which forcefully pinned Force on the other side of the church.
"Why? Why are you doing this."
"They are my orders," She simply said and with her free hand she sent more wind to knock Ruby against the wall. Losing her focus the plants which were in her control simply became weeds again. Releasing herself from the wall Force paced towards me. Now I'm not saying hit a woman but I hit a woman, with a chair, made of steel. That's right I used my telepathy and knocked a chair right into her head.
"Of course..." I said to myself, "Ruby we need to hit her like she hit you."
"Oh my gosh you're right, not that it's surprising. Making her lose her concentration will keep her from attacking us."
To this day I don't trust her with a rose bush. Ruby's sadist little mind turned a rose bush into a kunai out of all things. I took the surrounding floor board and morphed it into a giant sphere around Force.
"Ready?"
"I was born ready." A smile cracked on her face.
"Let's begin the magic show shall we."
Ruby took the kunai and just blasted through the sphere at jet speeds . Small grunts and moans could be heard from inside of the geometric shape. We did this for about two and a half minutes. Quickly releasing the sphere I used my telepathy to pin Force against the floor. The board from the sphere I took and used them as straps to hold her down. Running to the aliens side I knelt down next to her.
"Well now what?" Ruby asked.
"Now we talk," I went behind the aliens neck and pulled off a tiny micro-bot. "This little guy is used for mind control and long distance gps."
Putting her fingers between her eyes Ruby asked, "You knew that all along didn't you?"
"Yep."
"Ugh..." Force was coming to, "what...where am I?"
"Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, ring a bell?" Ruby asked.
"You basically invaded our town," I told her.
"I...I remember now. They sent me," She said still in a bit of shock.
"Who sent you?" I asked.
"Let's go men!" We heard before dozens of men swarmed the area.
I could hear helicopters outside even tanks. Men in black came through the windows telling us to put our hands up. Then came someone none of us had ever met. A man walked in with scruffy hair,black and white eyes, and a Soviet Union uniform on. Right next to him was someone I really hoped I was hallucinating. Mira walked in not with a wedding dress, but a blue a red agents uniform.
"Darwin Opinhimer, Ruby Oddsern I am Director Grigori. We have a few questions for you."
"And I hae (have) some explaining to do."
Shortly after we gave testimony to what happened Mira walked up to me. Her face was now as straight as a stick.
She simply asked, "Are ye mad?"
I took me a second to think about it. Instead of answering though I just ,laughed. I bursted into laughter unlike any other. Finally I said, "No, of course not. I'm no better than you. I've had these abilities for a little over a month now."
"Darwin whit I said my wedding vows I meant. Ye ken (know) how we met at a costume party?"
"Let me guess this wasn't a costume at all."
"No, in fact it was a mission but instead I found ye and I couldn't let ye loose." She took my hands and said, "I'm sorry for cause ye so much trouble I understand if ye-"
"Mira," I put my finger on her lip, "I love you and that's not going to change agent or not. I promise that no matter what comes up in our life that I'll be by your side through it all." I pulled the wedding ring out of my tattered suit pocket, "I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife."
The tears formed in her eye again, "And I take ye to be my lawfully wedded husband."
We kissed like we never kissed before. Almost like that spark we had just exploded and became fireworks. When we finally pulled away I told her this.
"Mira this is just the beginning. There are other threats out there in the universe that will need to be taken care of. Something big is going to happen and there needs to be a group no,a team of people like Ruby and me to help those who can't help themselves."
"Like ye?"
"Me as in unique people. I want to gather them up so we can get a head start on this."
"A.I.D.A.N has something that can help."
"A.I.D.A.N?"
"All-around Investigation Department Alpha National. We keep track of things like this."
"Perfect."
"What will ye call yereselves (yourselves)?"
"Unique People."
Copyright 2015 Puddin Littles