Chapter Twelve

November 10th, 2006

I am surprised that Icah has come out. I don't know why I am as he did at Mikael's birthday party. The room is nearly dark other than the faint green lights of the machine I am hooked up to, and the plethora of stars glittering in Icah's eyes.  

Dr. Napier's breathing is heavy, and I realize he might be scared.

"Hello Icah." His voice is not the sure tone he had earlier. It's raspy, it's light, it's full of doubt.

Icah says nothing, and so he continues, "It's dark in here, and I can't see you. May we turn on a few lights?"

He does not answer, and so I answer for him, "Only a few." I say and immediately three of the many lights in the room flicker on.

Icah is sitting beside me, his face expressionless. He edges towards me, eyeing Dr. Napier like a predator. I reach out, I don't know why I do, but I grab Icah's arm, I feel his power pulsating through his veins. It is so strange to feel, because I know that that is the same power that broke my mother's wrist, and my father's arm.

He is a powerful creature, but I do not fear him like everyone else. He is my only friend, and I cling to his arm to ground him.

Dr. Napier looks pale, "You're real." Is all he says, and a sudden voice speaks through the microphone.

It is Dr. Singh, "I'm coming in." He says as a warning to not frighten Icah. Not even seconds later, he walks into the interview room, his eyes wide, as he relieves Dr. Napier from his position as the interviewer.

Dr. Napier leaves in a hurry.

Sitting down, Dr. Singh stares at Icah, intrigued, and astounded. "Absolutely incredible." He says to no one in particular. "Look at the way he guards you, Rosie. You are under his protection entirely. You've formed a bond; I've never seen this in any of our patients here."

This spikes my own interest, "There are more aliens like Icah?"

His eyes flicked from Icah, to me. "No," he says with a bit of disappointment in his tone, "At least not here on Earth that we are aware of. We have blood samples of his species, individuals who have been infected with his blood type, but not a living, breathing, organism such as he." He shakes his hand, and he actually smiles, "Unbelievable." He clears his throat, "Most of those infected with blood like his are unable to control it. It does not sync into their system so willingly like his does with you. It is as if you both are two puzzle pieces that just," he intertwined his fingers together, "click."

I barely understand what he's saying, but I did understand the puzzle part. I think Icah and I make a very good puzzle.

"We must start testing immediately." He says so quickly that I barely gather what it is he's saying until he stands. "Blood samples. We need blood samples."

My eyes widened, "You said no needles."

He seems to faulter a bit, as he sits back down, "Rosie." His voice is sweet, gentle, "This is utterly the most remarkable study I have ever come across. Were I to study your and Icah's blood, it may solve so many questions." When this does not move me, he takes a steadying breath, "There are people in this compound who are experiencing supernatural sufferings. We have men and women here who are infected with the same blood Icah has put in you. These people can not control themselves. The power interspersed with their human body is too much for them. Were I to understand what it is we are dealing with, I may be able to help them. You and Icah, both can help them."

I blink at him.

"What if we try to take blood from him?" He turns to Icah, "May I take a bit of your blood?"

Icah stares at him, and I do not release my grip on his arm no matter what. I think about how horrifying being pierced with a needle is, and I don't want Icah to experience that either. "No." I say, "No needles."

"Can't Icah respond?"

I nudge Icah with my foot, and he glances down at me, before returning his eyes to Dr. Singh, "No." He says, "You will not hurt us."

The doctor swallows hard, but nods, "Alright." But I do not fail to notice the tiniest bit of impatience flicker across his face.

When it is clear that Icah refuses to speak anymore, he eventually returns back into me, and Jay walks us back to our bedroom. The metal door is shut on us, and I wonder what could happen next. We made it clear that we do not want any testing done, so will we be allowed to go home now?

I was really beginning to miss my mother.

I'm coloring when Jay walks back into the room. He's carrying a tray with dinner on it, and I stare at the food. It is orange juice and some sort of meat and vegetables. Beside the vegetables is a small bowl of ice cream.

I take the orange juice and the ice cream and eat only that because my mom is not here to yell at me.

I drink the juice while coloring and it is not until I'm nearly finished that I feel Icah grab my lungs, forcing me to heave a breath.

"Something is wrong." He says to me, and I panic.

"What's wrong?" I say out loud, because I forget to talk to him in my head.

I feel my heart racing and I don't know why it's racing. I am not that scared. I am becoming scared because of it.

I suddenly feel so exhausted that not even Icah can keep me awake. I feel him clawing at my heart desperately trying to keep me awake, alert, but it does not work. And then, like a light goes out, I feel Icah seize in my body as if he too could not stay awake, and I want to cry, but I'm so tired that I fall on the ground, unable to move my body, I close my eyes, and I am gone.