Page 40 of Killer Moonshine

“I think we’re safe to do that.”

“Great. We caught about a dozen fish, and they’re big. We should be able to give some to everyone. We also found some wild blueberries and other things we can eat. It will be our first good meal in a while.”

“Perfect. I think we’re going to need the energy.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Nine walked toward the table where their geniuses were sitting quietly eating. Normally, they would be running around, sitting with others, enjoying the company of unique tables. The last few days, they were huddled together, seemingly stuck like glue.

“How are y’all feeling?” he asked.

“Honestly? We’re not sure,” said Stephanie. “We were just saying there’s this really weird feeling that we all have. It’s like a vibration or something.”

“A vibration?” he frowned.

“Yeah. Like someone is calling you, but your phone is on silent. I’m constantly reaching to see if it’s my phone, and it never is. It’s just a low, buzzing vibration, and it’s making us all a bit crazy.”

“I’m so sorry, you guys. We’ll figure this out,” he said, hugging each one of them. He immediately walked toward the table where Riley, Gabi, Suzette, and the other members of the medical team were huddled together.

“How are they?” asked Suzette.

“Confused. I am too. What the fuck is happening to them?” asked Nine.

“We’re trying to figure it out, Nine. Their brain tissue showed this strange residual of pink, fluorescent specks, like dust or something. I think it contributes to their intelligence and special skills, but I think it also makes them identify in one another what they share.”

“Wait a minute. What special skills?” asked Ghost.

“They’re all highly intelligent,” said Suzette. “IQs are well above genius levels. But when the younger boys first got here, they’d never been exposed to anything outside the classroom, and yet they knew everything about the subject of their interests. Like marine life. That doesn’t happen from books or documentaries. Even with Stephanie and Katelyn, they were connected and knew that they were different, that they shared something beyond intelligence.”

“They just described this feeling of a strange vibration,” said Nine. The medical team all nodded in agreement. “What is that?”

“Well,” sighed Riley, rubbing her temples, “we honestly believe that it’s some sort of ‘call’ or ‘messaging’ to one another.”

“But they’re all right here,” frowned Ghost. Riley stared at him, tilting her head sideways. “Fuck. Are you telling me that maybe they’re communicating with others like them and don’t know it?”

“Stranger things have happened. I mean, not to other people, but to us for sure,” smirked Riley. “We think it’s possible that this is some sort of calling to others like them. We know there were other students out there, we just don’t have any idea of who they were, how old they are, nothing.”

“Alright. Well, keep a close eye on them. I want to be sure those kids are okay, and I don’t want them feeling any pressure about things around them.”

“Nine. They’re geniuses. They feel the pressure to be smarter than everyone else around here. They feel the pressure to come up with new ideas, new innovations, new security tools. You, we, all of us, saved them and have given them safety and homes. They worry that they might have to leave.”

“No,” said Ghost, turning to look at the table. “We would never do that. They’re our family.”

“They’re geniuses, Ghost. But they’re all still kids.”

Ghost walked over to their table again and sat down, taking the hands of the two kids on either side of him.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Ghost?” asked Monroe.

“Monroe, all of you, listen to me,” he said softly. Ghost was the toughest, meanest bastard in the bunch when he needed to be. But he was also sweet, kind, and tender with the kids, always worried about their feelings. “You all are family. There is nothing that will change that. Nothing! You are our children, our grandchildren. Whatever is going on with all of you right now, we’ll figure this out. We’ll make sure that nothing happens to any of you.”

“You won’t make us leave?” asked Victoria.

“Honey, what on earth would make you believe that?” asked Ghost. “We love you. You’re ours. Our family. Family doesn’t ask family to leave. You all belong right here, and this is where you’ll stay unless you want to leave.”

“I don’t want to leave,” smiled Victoria. “You know that. This is where I feel safest. I don’t feel judged or critiqued.”

“Same,” said Stephanie. “I never thought I’d feel safe with anyone. I feel so safe being here with all of you. I don’t want to leave.”

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