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  “And shower and get cleaned up.”

  Kirby grinned. “Of course.”

  Tyler saw his opportunity. “I got a job offer to work at the rodeo, for a few hours, tomorrow morning. Do you think I could go with you?”

  From the corner of his eye, he noticed Cybil shake her head and silently mouth the word “no”, but it appeared that Kirby either didn’t notice or simply didn’t care.

  “Sure, kid. I can take you. But just keep in mind, you’re only there to work. You won’t be there to have fun and hang out with friends. Got it?”

  “Yup. Yes, sir. Thank you.” Hopefully Eddie would be at the rodeo as promised, and Tyler would be able to meet him, away from the watchful eyes of his guardian.

  *****

  When lunchtime rolled around, Tyler had just finished up trash duty. He leaned against a hotdog stand and surveyed the crowd. Between the hot dog stand and parking lot was a corral where the bulls were penned, left to anxiously await their admittance into the arena. Tyler watched a group of cowboys work to get a struggling bull out of the back of a trailer and into the pen.

  He took a bite of hot dog and looked beyond the corrals to the parking lot. A few vehicles drove in, stirring up dust in their wake. Among them was a Jeep that caught his attention. His eyes remained glued to the vehicle as it parked and the door opened. From a distance, the driver seemed to match Eddie’s description. He was still too far away to be certain. It has to be him, he thought. His stomach tightened. The hot dog that had tasted so good going down now felt like an unwelcome intruder. He needed this man to be Eddie. What if it is him? he wondered. What if it’s not him? Only one way to find out.

  As he headed for the parking lot, he tried to contemplate an introduction. What would he say to the guy? Halfway there, he spotted two small kids, about five years old. They had climbed the fencing to peer over the side of a bull corral. Dumb kids, he thought. I wonder where their parents are? He was about ten yards away when one of the boys must have decided that he needed a closer look. He climbed to the top, placed one foot on the highest rail, and leaned over.

  Tyler didn’t have his brother’s precognition ability, but it didn’t take a psychic to foresee what was about to happen. He took off at a run toward the corral just as the boy’s grip slipped, and he toppled forward, out of sight, behind the fencing.

  His heart began to race as adrenaline kicked in, and he ran faster. He prayed he would get there before it was too late. The second boy remained perched on the fence and began to scream for his father, who was still nowhere in sight.

  Without pause to rationalize a plan, Tyler leapt onto the fencing and scaled it to the top. He later thought that it, perhaps, would have been wise to appraise the situation first, before he entered the lion’s den—or in this case, the bull’s pen. He didn’t pause though, and before he had time to reconsider, he had landed in the soft manure and dirt beside the boy.

  The child sat motionless. Tyler followed his transfixed gaze, to the massive bull, who had equally massive horns aimed in their direction. He had seen it before in the movies; the bull usually snorted and stomped his foot a few times in preparation to charge. He could now safely say that this didn’t just happen in the movies. Bulls did in fact snort and stomp when angered. And angered he certainly must have been, for the bull lowered his head, shook it, and grunted.

  Given the short distance between the fence and the animal—he estimated it to be about ten feet— he guessed that he might have time to get the boy hoisted to safety in time, but by then, he knew that the bull would be upon him and he wouldn’t have a hope of escape. One slight move and it would charge. No time to reason—he needed to get the boy and himself to safety before the bull decided that he had shared his pen long enough.

  Tyler grabbed the boy’s hand and helped him to stand. He placed a hand on the boy’s chest and pushed him closer to the fence. He then took a slow step in front of him. Thankfully, the boy’s state of shock had rendered him speechless; any sudden noise would further agitate the creature.

  He kept his eyes trained on their probable tormentor while he reached a hand behind his back and grabbed the boy’s wrist. In a calm, hushed voice, he whispered, “When I say ‘go,' I want you to climb back up to the top, just like you did when you got in here. Do you understand?”

  The boy whimpered but managed to whisper, “Uh, huh.”

  “Good. Not yet, you understand. Wait until I say ‘go’."

  “Okay.”

  Tyler wanted to ensure that the bull was calm before the boy made a move. He began to send calm thoughts and positive energy to the animal. He was answered with a snort and a stomp. Oh, God, please let this work, Tyler thought.

  He continued to hold his focus. It’s okay, he thought. We aren’t here to hurt you. My little friend, here, made a mistake. All we want to do is go and leave you alone. He doubted the bull understood but hoped he caught the meaning.

  The bull retreated a step, and Tyler knew that it was now or never. With his eyes still on the creature, he squeezed the boy’s wrist once, released it, and whispered, “Go!” Thankfully obedient, the boy quickly clambered up the side.

  A moment later, a man’s voice shouted, “Timothy! What were you thinking?”

  Tyler tuned out the commotion, from the other side, and continued to emit calm, relaxing thoughts and energy. He was fairly confident that he could climb safely to the top, without getting speared with horns, but he was still hesitant to turn his back.

  And then an image entered his mind. He saw himself climbing up the fence. The bull was telling him that he could go.

  “Thanks, buddy,” Tyler whispered. Assured of his safety, he turned to climb. He was two rails up, when he turned back to the massive, horned creature and said, “Good luck out there." Tyler wondered if it was his imagination but he could have sworn that the bull winked.

  A man stood to greet him as he landed back to safety on the other side. He wore a cowboy hat and boots and sported a thick, black mustache. “That was very brave of you. I owe you my thanks for saving my nephew. He could have gotten real hurt if you hadn’t come along.”

  “I’m just glad that I was able to help.” Tyler brushed the dirt from his hands, onto his jeans, and accepted the man’s outstretched hand in a firm shake.

  The boy was snuggled in a giant bear hug in the arms of a woman he assumed to be his mother, while a man, whom he assumed to be his father, stood by and scolded the boy. “Don’t you ever do anything so stupid, ever again! Do you hear me? Do you have any idea how lucky you are?” The boy burst into tears and buried his head in his mother’s neck.

  Tyler realized that a small group had gathered around the commotion. At the front of the crowd stood a tall Hispanic guy who was about eighteen years old, with thick, black-rimmed glasses. This had to be Eddie. They made eye contact and then he smiled and stepped out of the crowd toward him.

  Tyler turned to the boy’s uncle. “I’m sorry. Could you excuse me for just a minute?”

  “Of course. I’ll be right over there.” He touched the brim of his cowboy hat and gave a nod before he wandered over to check on his nephew.

  Tyler turned to the newcomer, who extended a hand in greeting. “Hi, I’m Eddie.”

  “I’m Tyler.”

  Eddie accepted the handshake and said, “Your brother wasn’t kidding. You do look exactly alike.”

  Up to that point, the entire situation with Toby and the kidnappers had seemed surreal, but now that Eddie stood before him, in person, his reality suddenly seemed to take on a new countenance, and he found himself momentarily speechless. When he finally found words to speak, he said, “Um, yeah…we are identical…I was worried that you wouldn’t show up. I’m so glad that you’re here.”

  “Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to come. I’m still not convinced that I’m going to go through with this insane plan.”

  Tyler was overcome with panic. He needed Eddie’s help to find his brother. He looked around t
o make sure he wouldn’t be overheard and then said, “You have to help. We need you.”

  “I saw you jump into that bull pen. I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid.”

  Eddie’s attempt to avoid the subject was obvious, but Tyler couldn’t help but laugh. “I was kinda wondering that myself after I jumped in there. No one else was around though, and somebody had to save the kid.”

  “How did you manage to get the two of you out of there in one piece?”

  “Um…I guess you could say I have a way with animals.”

  “Whatever you did, it was pretty cool.”

  “Can we go somewhere else to talk?” Tyler hoped to convene their meeting elsewhere, preferably somewhere far away from the rodeo grounds. “Kirby, my…guardian, is going to be looking for me soon. If he finds me, we’re done.”

  Just then, the boy’s father walked over. He also sported a thick mustache and wore a cowboy hat and boots. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you. You saved my son. If there is anything that I can do for you, anything at all…”

  Tyler was ready to say that he didn’t need anything. He was just happy that he had been in the right place at the right time, but then he looked over the man’s shoulder and spotted Kirby. He was near the food vendors and headed their way.

  He turned his attention back to the boy’s father. “Actually, sir, this may sound strange, but there is something that you could do for me…if you wouldn’t mind. Do you see that man over there, in the green overalls, walking this direction?” Tyler nodded his head toward Kirby.

  The boy’s father glanced over his shoulder. “I do.”

  “Well, you see, I was supposed to be working and picking up trash. If he finds out that I was over here and not doing my job, I might get fired. Do you think that you could maybe forget that you saw me and distract him for a minute or two, so that I have time to get back to where I’m supposed to be?”

  The man smiled and gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder. “I was young once, too. No boy wants to be stuck picking up trash at a rodeo while there are pretty girls to see and excitement going on. I understand. Don’t you worry about it. I’ve got you covered. You go on that way and get outta here. I’ll keep your boss talking for a few minutes.

  Tyler grinned, thankful for his good luck. “Thank you so much!”

  “No thanks needed, young man. It’s the least I can do. Now, go on that way, behind the trailers, and get outta here.”

  “Thank you, sir!” Tyler turned to Eddie, with a smile. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  They escaped between two horse trailers and made a beeline for the parking lot.

  It wasn’t until they had reached Eddie’s Jeep that Tyler spoke. “I need to get my bag. I left it in Kirby’s car.” He had stowed the duffle bag, filled with clothing, on the floor of the backseat of the car, the night before. The floor was riddled with old McDonald’s sacks, work boots, receipts, coats, and water bottles. It seemed the rubble had taken up permanent residence, and Tyler knew it was unlikely that it would be cleaned up, anytime soon. He had been confident that his bag would remain safely hidden.

  “Where’s the car?”

  “It’s parked on the other side of the lot.”

  “Hop in. We’ll drive.”

  Halfway across the parking lot, Tyler realized that he was holding his breath and had a death-grip on the edge of the seat, as Eddie careened down one dusty lane and up another. He prayed that no children ran out from behind a car as they left a trail of blooming dust in their tracks.

  Tyler didn’t want to be a backseat driver to someone he had just met, but at the same time, he felt compelled to speak. “I, uh…know we’re in a hurry and all, but you might want to slow down a bit so you don’t draw attention.”

  Eddie glanced at the speedometer and immediately released pressure from the gas pedal. “Sorry, I’m usually a cautious driver. I just…” He shook his head and kept his eyes trained on the parking lot, now driving at the designated speed limit. Then he glanced at Tyler. “I just had my priorities all laid out. You know? College. My future. I had it all figured out. And then your brother came along and kinda threw a kink in my plans. I’m not ready to throw everything I’ve worked for out the window and risk jail time for harboring a runaway.

  “Before I drive any further, where’s your father’s car?”

  “Ugh, Kirby? He’s definitely not my father. His car’s right over there though.” Tyler pointed straight ahead and to the right. “It’s that old red Pontiac, second from the end.”

  Eddie pulled up behind the car and parked. “This is it?”

  “Yep. I’ll just be a second. I left the bag in the backseat.”

  Tyler glanced at Eddie. There was an unmistakable look of concern written on his face. Eddie had said that he wasn’t ready to throw everything he’d worked for out the window. What was that supposed to mean? He’d come this far. Was he going to back out now? Without conscious effort, he tuned in to Eddie’s thoughts.

  I could just drive away, he heard Eddie think. I could keep going, never look back, and pretend we never met.

  “You could,” Tyler said. “It’s definitely an option.”

  Eddie looked, as expected, very confused. “I could do what? What’s an option?”

  “You could drive away and never look back.”

  “How did you know…?”

  Tyler shrugged. “My brother’s not the only one with talent. It’s true. You could drive away, pretend that you never met me, but it wouldn’t put an end to all of this. My brother isn’t the one who threw a kink in your plans. The people who kidnapped him are. You’re damn lucky that my brother had the power to contact you. If he hadn’t, you could be in the same position that he’s in right now. The people who took him want you, too. Like it or not, we have to rely on each other if we’re going to make it through this.

  “Now, I need to get my bag. Can I trust that you aren’t going to drive away once I get out?”

  Eddie gave him a half smile. “Go ahead. I’ll wait right here.”

  Tyler checked on Eddie’s thoughts one more time. Once he was certain that his new friend wasn’t going to leave him in the dust, he jumped out of the Jeep and yanked on the door handle of Kirby’s car. It was locked. It couldn’t be. Kirby never locked his car. He walked around the vehicle and tried each handle, but to no avail.

  Eddie got out of the Jeep and came to stand by his side. “Car’s locked I take it?”

  “Yeah. He never locks the car.” He slammed his hand on the roof.

  Eddie sighed. “Just add breaking and entering to my police record, along with kidnapping.”

  Tyler glanced at him. “You’re going to break in? Do you have a lot of experience with breaking into cars?”

  Eddie scowled. “No, I don’t. Until I met you, the idea of breaking the law never crossed my mind. Do you see anyone coming?”

  Tyler peered up and down the aisle of parked vehicles. They were parked in the back of the lot, and thankfully, there was no one around. “Um, nope. Looks clear.”

  “Good. This should just take a moment.”

  “What will? What are you going to do?”

  Eddie grinned. “You and your brother aren’t the only ones with powers. Watch and see.” He placed his right hand, slightly above the handle on the door and placed his left hand near the locking mechanism. In less than ten seconds, Tyler heard the click.

  “Voila.” Eddie smiled and flourished a hand toward the door. “One unlocked car, as you wished.”

  “That’s awesome! Besides my brother, I’ve never met anyone else with powers like that.” He touched a hand reverently to the car door and then lifted the handle. “I could have done that. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.” He gave Eddie a sly grin. “Of course…I didn’t break into the car—you did. You know what that means, don’t you?”

  “Um…it means now the car’s open and you should hurry up and grab your bag, before anyone sees us.”

  “Well, yeah
. But it also means that now you’re part of this crazy escapade, too. There’s no turning back.”

  “Right…Why don’t you grab your bag so we can discuss this somewhere else? We should get out of here before Kirby discovers that you’re missing.”

  Eddie drove in focused silence until they had left the fairgrounds a few miles behind. Then he glanced at Tyler. “Grab my phone and see if you can make us a flight reservation.” He handed over his wallet. “Here ya go. You can use my credit card.”

  “Does that mean you’re in? Where are we going?”

  Eddie kept his gaze straight ahead on the road when he spoke, “We’re going to Seattle. Crazy as this whole thing is, it looks like I’m in. Like you said, there’s no turning back now.”

  CHAPTER 5: LILIANA

  Liliana watched the sparrows flutter about on the power line outside the glass balcony door of her grandfather’s third-floor apartment, in Chinatown. From the table, she could clearly see the apartment building across the alley. On one of the apartment’s balconies, an elderly woman fed her two cats.

  Her parents, both dentists, had gone to China for a month, on a goodwill mission to bring dental care to needy children. Her grandmother, who hadn’t returned to China for thirty years, had eagerly gone with them. Liliana had begged her parents for the chance to go along, but they insisted that it was more important for her to stay in school. So, it had been arranged that she stay with her grandfather, until their return.

  She glanced at the clock. It was early still, and she had half an hour before she would need to walk to the corner bus stop. Had she been home, she would have walked to Aimee’s and her mom would have driven them to school. Her grandfather’s apartment, however, was miles away, in the opposite direction, near Elliott Bay. The city bus was, unfortunately, her only option.

  When the phone rang, Liliana reached over to the old wall phone, which thankfully had a cord long enough to reach the table. She smiled when she heard Aimee’s voice on the other end.

  “Hey, Liliana! So I just talked to my mom, and she said that you can stay with us while your parents are gone. What do ya think?”